Sutra 18

Devanagari script

अप्रतिकार्यासन्नव्यसनो वा ज्यायानपि संश्रयेत ॥ कZ_०७.३.१८ ॥

Transliteration

apratikāryāsannavyasano vā jyāyān api saṃśrayeta

Translation

When one is unable to retaliate, or is close to calamity, one should seek protection (take refuge) even with a stronger power.

Word by Word

• अप्रतिकार्य: irremediable; not capable of being counteracted
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रति√कृ
• Form: प्रातिपदिक; नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम् (विशेषणम्)

• आसन्न: imminent; near at hand
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √सद् (सीद्)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक; नपुंसकलिङ्गे एकवचनम् (विशेषणम्)

• व्यसनः: calamity; grave misfortune
• Type: Noun
• Root: √अस् (अस्ति)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचनम्

• वा: or
• Type: Particle
• Root: /
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक

• ज्यायान्: stronger; superior
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्यायस्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचनम्; तुलनात्मक (comparative)

• अपि: even; also
• Type: Particle
• Root: /
• Form: अव्यय; अपि = even/also

• संश्रयेत: should seek refuge; should take shelter (of)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+√श्रि
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः एकवचनम्; लट्-आदेशे विध्यर्थः

Entities Mentioned

• king (implicitly)
• stronger power (jyāyān)

More Details

FAQs

What is the policy recommendation when the state cannot retaliate against an aggressor?

Kauṭilya advises seeking shelter with a stronger power—i.e., entering a protective relationship rather than risking annihilation.

What condition triggers this advice besides military weakness?

Impending calamity (āsanna-vyasana): a crisis where delay or pride would endanger state survival.